LONGMONT -- A concealed-weapons charge against Councilman Brian Bagley for bringing a .45 Colt Defender into the Boulder County Justice Center was dismissed Friday.

The gun had been spotted in Bagley's briefcase by security Aug. 31 after he put it on the courthouse's conveyor belt. Under Colorado law, it's a misdemeanor to "knowingly and unlawfully" carry a concealed weapon, but Bagley said he had forgotten the gun was there.

"I didn't know what had happened until I heard one of the guys say 'Bagley! What the hell?'" Bagley said in a September interview.

State law does allow someone to carry a concealed weapon while in their home, car or place of business. Bagley, a criminal-defense attorney, said he had planned to take the gun to his law office but got a phone call at home that morning telling him his infant niece had died. After the call, he said, he went straight to the courthouse instead of his office, forgetting the gun was still in his bag.

A Boulder County District Court judge said she would dismiss the charges if Bagley took a gun safety course and got a concealed-carry permit, both of which he did.

"The reality is, they did what they would have done with anyone else," said Bagley, who said the court looked at both the circumstances and his lack of a criminal history. "They told me what I would have to do, so I did it gladly."

With the case closed, the Colt will be released to Bagley.

"They showed mercy as well as justice," he said, "so I'm grateful."subheadhere

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